The Trump administration on Wednesday recommended steep anti-subsidy duties on Bombardier's CSeries jets, setting up the next round of a fierce international trade dispute between the United States and Canada.

Bombardier lost two cents to $3.00 in the first hour.

Desjardins raised the rating on Quebecor to buy from hold. Quebecor gained 45 cents, or 1.9%, to $23.94.

RBC cuts the rating on Western Energy Services to sector perform from outperform. Western Energy acquired two cents, or 1.7%, to $1.17.

On the economic front, Statistics Canada said November's consumer price index rose 2.1% on a year-over-year basis in November, following a 1.4% increase in October. On a seasonally-adjusted monthly basis, inflation was up 0.5% in November.

The agency also said that retail trade rose 1.5% to $49.9 billion in October. Higher sales at new car dealers were the main contributor to the gain.

Equities have risen sharply this year with investors betting on lower corporate taxes. The S&P 500 is up 19.7% in 2017.

Comcast, as well as Boeing, AT&T and Wells Fargo, announced higher pay and bonuses for workers. They also announced other spending measures.

House members voted on Wednesday to pass a bill that would cut the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%. The Senate had already passed the measure on Tuesday. President Donald Trump is widely expected to sign the bill, giving him and the Republican party a major legislative victory.